Primeval Whirl adds safety features

March 5, 2008, 11:18 AM ·
In response to the Nov. 24 death of Karn Price, while working the Primeval Whirl coaster in Animal Kingdom, Disney is installing sensor mats on the off-limits area of the ride platform beyond the passneger loading and unloading zones. The mats will shut down the ride if someone steps on the mats. They are adding striping to designate loading and unloading zones. Primeval Whirl is a wild mouse type coaster; this style of coaster has been in operation for many years. The Primeval Whirl is acutally 2 mouse coasters interwoven.

Replies (6)

March 5, 2008 at 11:21 AM ·
Intrusion mats have been a standard safety feature at the Haunted Mansion since before I worked at Disney (late 1980s-early 1990s). That's the only attraction I had any contact with that used them, but I am sure they've been in place at other rides over the years.

March 6, 2008 at 11:32 AM ·
As a ride operator and trainer, I understand the risk and dangers that is present that the average person would not understand. The day the accident occurred, it's impact touched our crews as I'm sure was the case at Disney. There were individuals that tried to blame the operator in this incident, but knowing how the job can be, and from what i know of the incident it sounds to be an accident in every since of the word, which sadly happens. Having said that, I would like to see systems like the safety mats instituted at many many more attractions to minimize the number of incidents.

March 6, 2008 at 2:42 PM ·
I think such accidents result when the whole crew doesn't understand the "systems" aspect of the ride they're working on. I know some people just don't care -- just tell me what I need to do and forget the rest -- but they should not be working on a ride when they don't understand how all the pieces fit together. They don't need to be rocket science-deep on the ride, but they at least need to be able to visualize how it all goes together.

March 6, 2008 at 6:51 PM ·
i think some people just think they are above being hurt or killed. I was pretty "dangerous" with myself and a risk taker until my mom died in my arms. That made me feel really "human" and I realized how easily people can die and how fragile we are. i think the sensors are a must and when there is a new invention for saftey etc. Disney should definately be the first to have it before someone gets hurt or killed.